Improvement in oyster and other dredges



1. wALMER; Dyster *and otherDredges.

N0. 144,169, Patented Oct. 28,1-873.-

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/' "a *o I A 'ic Q al www i .4. www@ ltnTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH WTALMER, OF LUDLOW', KENTUCKY.

EMIPROVEMENT IN QYSTER AND OTHER DREDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. IQQLG), dated October28, 1873; application led August 27, 1873.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osErI-I WALMER, of Ludlow, Kenton count-y,Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Dredging-Scoop, of which thefollowing is a specication:

This invention relates to that class of scoops wherewith coal or othersunken material can be scooped up and lifted to the surface of thewater, which comprises an open frame, constituting the scoop proper, anda chain bag depending therefrom; and my improvement consists inimparting to the forward end of the fra-me that supports the bag or sacka pointed or lancet shape, which enables said frame to penetrate thematerials to be elevated. In addition to this lancet-mint, the frame isfurthermore provided at its extreme sides with two forwardly-projectingspurs or prongs, that assist in. separating the coal or other sunkenmaterials,` thereby enabling the scoop to be used in the most effectivemanner, and with the least expenditure of power.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of a dredging-scoopembodying my improvements.

A represents the rear portion of a metallic frame, to which a socket, a,is applied for attachment ot' handle Il, that may be of any suitablelengt-h. Projecting .forwardly from the member A of the frame, and atright angles thereto, are two side bars, O C', that are provided,respectively, with ears c c', to which the bail D is secured. Attachedto the eye or loop d of this bail is a rope or chain, E, wherewiththcscoop is raised and lowered. The side bars (l O are united to twoconverging ones, F F', that meet at a point, G, which point is midwaybetween the bars O C', and in line with the socket c. Depending from theabovedescribed metallic frame A C O F F G is a basket, sack, cage, ornet, IL'which is, preferably, composed of chains, so as to combinestrength with lightness. Secured by bolts t' fi to the side bars O C areforwardlyprojecting spurs or prongs I I', which may be readily detachedfrom the frame when not needed.

The entire apparatus is lowered with the rope E until it comes incontact with the sunken materials, when the handle B is manipulated insuch a manner asl to force the converging end G of the frame into thecoal or other subA stances. Owing to the la-ncet shape of the forwardend of the frame, together with the pointed spurs I I', the scoop isenabled to enter and separate the sunken materials with the greatestfacility, and with comparatively little exert-ion on the part of theoperators who manage the apparatus. The materials, being separated bythe conjoint action ot lancet Gr and prongs I I', fall into the sack orbasket H, which, when filled, iselevated by the rope or chain E. Duringthe ascent of said basket, the water, sand, and other dbris raked up bythe scoop escape between the meshes of the sack; and the result is, thatwhen the coal is discharged from the scoop it is Vfree from all suchforeign substances.

I claim as my invention- The described dredging-scoop, consisting of themetallic frame A c O O, converging bars F F Gr, forwardly-projectingprongs I I, chain bag or basket H, suspending-bail D, and handle B, whenarranged and adapted to be operated in the manner explained.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH W'ALMER. Attest:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, Janes H. LAiTvrAN.

